1903 Court Ball Album (Russky Antiquariat, Moscow, 2003)

[Annette]

I remember when we did finally get an email from the distributor they 'claimed' to have responded to each of my messages but said my computer firewall would 'probably' have blocked their messages. Hmmm.

If you want to check out the old thread on this topic which I started a couple of Christmases ago I am sure the distributor added a response to the thread so there would be an email address on there.  We managed to get a tracking No from them but it was a really painful process.  We threatened to claim the money back via my credit card company in the end. 

It's THE most wonderful set of books though, the highlight of my collection.

[Eurohistory]

Indeed, yet I have no problem getting in contact directly with the person in  charge of distribution, with whom I chatted this morning.  I have two more copies available of the next shpment coing out of Russia – first come first served at this point.

Regards to all,

Arturo Beéche

[Laura Mabee]

Wonderful Art! Consider yourself emailed! 

[Eurohistory]

OK...I have replied to your email...I hope you are one of the lucky ones with a copy of this book...soon!

Arturo Beéche

[Alixz]

Just bumping this up.  The book sounds so great!

I know it is expensive, but I hope there are those out there who can get it from Art.

[Robert_Hall]

The books do not disapoint, I can guarentee that for sure!

[leslie]

There is a copy of this book up for auction on E-Bay right now.  Auction ends on Friday night.

[Alixz]

I bid in the auction as high as $200 US.

The book ultimately sold for $400 US.

Way too expensive for my wallet.

Someday, someday.   

[Belochka]

Alixz,

From what I saw recently in one Moscow bookstore, that $400 sale price was a bargain!

Margarita  

[Alixz]

Of course you are right.

I saw it in an on-line bookstore for over $700!!

But each price is prohibitive for me.   

As I said, someday, someday.

[Belochka]

Of course you are right.

I saw it in an on-line bookstore for over $700!!

But each price is prohibitive for me.   

As I said, someday, someday.

The asking price is simply not justifiable, especially considering that when it first came on the market it was first advertised for 50% less than today, and that there might just be a second edition around the corner minus the fancy trimmings. 

I have seen one particular Russian Romanov album that has a $1000 price tag attached to it. It is of a similar style to the Ball book, but its later editions are less fancy and have diminished significantly in price with two successive editions. Today it is available at around $100!

So yes there is always hope!

Margarita 

[Sarushka]

I have seen one particular Russian Romanov album that has a $1000 price tag attached to it. It is of a similar style to the Ball book, but its later editions are less fancy and have diminished significantly in price with two successive editions. Today it is available at around $100!

Which album is that?

[pookiepie]

 there might just be a second edition around the corner minus the fancy trimmings. 

[/quote]


so will there be a cheaper version?

[ashanti01]

As much as I love books and history, I just could not explain spending that much for a book....even if I had the money, I would seriously think it over. I do hope they come out with a cheaper version.

[Robert_Hall]

The "fancy trimmings" and the fact that it is a limited edition is what makes the book  an investment.  Although I think $700 is way too much at this time.  I paid less than $300 for it in St.Petersburg and hand carried it home to San Francisco, via London. It is a HEAVY work to tote around. Hence it's high price outside of Russia.  Shipping is very costly. If a cheap version comes out, fine for those who cannot afford a first edition, collectors edition. It will not be the same, though.
On another visit I brought back an equally if not even weightier tome- Romanovskii.  A beautiful volume celebrating the dynasty. The text is in Russian, which I can only read with a dictionary, but I bought it for the  fantastic colour illustrations. It cost about the same. [isbn- 5-7793-0826-8]. This might have even been the book Belochka saw at a much higher price. There were several elaborate  volumes out, especially because of the St. Petersburg trecentenary.